W Hotels Worldwide Debuts in the U.S. Capital with the Unveiling of W Washington D.C. (United States)
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W Hotels Worldwide Debuts in the U.S. Capital with the Unveiling of W Washington D.C. (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-07-31
Located Steps from the White House and Showcasing Unparalleled Views of the Historic City, W Washington D.C. Marks a Milestone in W’s Continued Global Expansion
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today unveils its first hotel in the U.S. Capital with the opening of W Washington D.C., the W brand’s 25th hotel in North America and 32nd globally. The closest hotel to the White House, W Washington D.C. offers a progressive point of view and reveals spectacular views from all sides of its 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue location. Owned by Nakheel Hotels, W Washington D.C. takes over the historic former Hotel Washington, which opened in 1917. The new W Hotel mixes the historic building’s Beaux Arts architecture with the edgy yet elegant designs of Los Angeles-based designer Dianna Wong, setting the stage for W’s fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience, including POV (Point of View), the hotel’s destination rooftop bar and lounge, boasting unparalleled views of the White House and the city’s soaring monuments; W Living Room (W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby); and two firsts for Washington D.C.: J&G Steakhouse, from three-star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Bliss® Spa, offering manicures, pedicures, facials and massages in a fun, no-attitude atmosphere.
“W Washington D.C. is a global flagship for the W brand as we transform from an American phenomenon to a global powerhouse,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “The hotel will provide guests and locals alike with W’s unique signature programming set in a cool design environment that gives a contemporary nod to Washington’s long history and offers incomparable views of this most scenic U.S. city.”
Iconic Architecture Mixes with Modern Design to Create the Capitol of Cool
Acclaimed designer Dianna Wong has preserved the history of the iconic Beaux Arts architecture of the iconic former Hotel Washington building while super-imposing W’s design style of vibrant colors, innovative textures, and cutting-edge elements that ring in a new era of modern glamour for both Washington’s power elite and jet setters alike. Guests first experience the contrast of Wong’s design as they walk through the F Street entrance doors, where they are welcomed by a digital fireplace, crackled paint, and deconstructed fixtures and artwork symbolizing “old Washington” and the deconstruction of the former Hotel Washington. In the W Living Room many of the building’s original architectural elements have been restored to their former luster, including famed plaster moldings, playful chandeliers and majestic arches. Wong’s duality of masculine and feminine power, or as she deems it, “pinstripes and lace,” serves as a design theme throughout the new hotel.
"It's been thrilling for me to work on the first W Hotel in the nation's capital," said Dianna Wong, principal at Dianna Wong Architecture and Interiors in Los Angeles. "The new Obama administration has brought a sense of excitement, elegance and youthful energy to Washington D.C. and this hotel captures those qualities. D.C. is the seat of power in America, but the insider knows that the dynamics of power in this town revolve around politics and pleasure. For me, this dance is symbolized by pinstripes and black lace, a duality between masculine and feminine - themes we use throughout the hotel. There is interplay here between history and fashion, classic and sleek, monumental and sublime” added Wong.
Mix and Mingle with Washington’s Power Set at POV Rooftop Bar
For decades, the former Hotel Washington’s famed rooftop terrace was the most popular destination for presidents, politicos, and Washington’s power set, providing the most renowned views of the White House lawn and the city’s soaring historic monuments of any leisure spot in the nation’s capital. With the opening of W Washington D.C., the rooftop returns, reinterpreted as a modern cocktail lounge inspired by craft cocktail expert Sasha Petraske. Petraske, founder and owner of the well known cocktail culture destinations Milk & Honey in Manhattan, Little Branch in Greenwich Village and Dutch Kills in Queens, NY, has revived classic cocktail recipes that complement the historic architecture and modern twists found throughout the hotel. At the heart of POV’s operation is Petraske’s signature ice program, customized for every beverage, whether it calls for chunks from a burly 100+ pound ice block, custom cold-sculpted spears, spheres, and pellets, or simply shaved ice. Perched atop W Washington D.C., POV features striking red, black and white décor to complement the night sky, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the city, and an outdoor terrace reconfigured with raised awnings, offering even more spectacular views. Additionally, Petraske’s artisanal spirits and classic cocktails are available in the 150-seat W Living Room, which serves as a social hub for guests and locals to mingle and sip as they mix business with pleasure or transition between the two.
Savor Sumptuous Cuisine in Style at J&G Steakhouse
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Michelin-starred culinary figure renowned for providing dining experiences that are local in content and global in reach, arrives in Washington for the first time with the opening of J&G Steakhouse, W Washington D.C.’s signature restaurant. Infusing timeless and sophisticated cuisine set in a contemporary design environment, J&G Steakhouse is a composition of Jean-Georges’ favorite dishes from his New York restaurants as well as an inspired steakhouse menu with composed and simply grilled items. Also designed by Wong, the dining room at J&G Steakhouse boasts 20-foot ceilings with double height, arched windows and mirrors providing sweeping views of the White House Gardens and the Washington Monument. San Francisco artist Julie Chang has created a modern mural of cherry blossoms and coins on the ceilings and walls of the restaurant, homage to the Capital City’s famous cherry trees and a nod to the neighboring Treasury Department.
"J&G Steakhouse will bring New York cuisine to Washington D.C. in a modern take of the classic steakhouse - Jean-Georges style with D.C. flavor. Working with local organic farms to source sustainable products, we plan to highlight the best of what D.C. has to offer on our menu,” said Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Located just below the dining room is J&G’s stylish Wine Bar, a cozy tavern-style lounge with slated floors, brick walls and exposed concrete beams. A selection of old and new world wines are offered as well as hand crafted cocktails and bottled beers from around the world. Jean-Georges has created an informal and casual menu of dishes to enhance the Wine Bar experience and accompany the unique libations. Guests at W Washington D.C. are also able to enjoy Vongerichten’s award-winning cuisine whether relaxing in-room, sipping amongst D.C.’s elite at POV, or attending a star-studded event held at the hotel.
Indulge at Washington’s First Bliss® Spa
Bliss Spa arrives in Washington D.C. for the first time with more than 4,000-square-feet of tension-fighting facilities with a focus on manicures and pedicures, facials, waxing, and skincare services as well as bliss signature massages. Four treatments rooms and bliss trademark touches such as rhythm & blues tunes, a retail beauty boutique, and the legendary brownie buffet, make bliss washington d.c. the ultimate destination for stylish jet setters and spa and beauty-loving locals. W Washington D.C. guests also receive “BIP” (Bliss Important Person) status for priority reservations, exclusive in-room sampling, and sink side bliss amenities in all guestrooms and suites.
Escape and Unwind in a Modern Refuge
W Washington D.C. features 317 stylish guestrooms, including 23 Marvelous suites, seven WOW suites, and an Extreme WOW suite (W’s reinterpretation of the traditional Presidential Suite), all of which incorporate Wong’s neo-romantic designs, exemplifying the power balance of “pinstripes and lace” found throughout the property. All guestrooms and suites feature state-of-the-art entertainment options, including flat-screen LCD TV and docking station for MP3 players, and a fully stocked Munchie Box (W Hotels’ twist of the hotel Mini Bar), setting the stage for a night on the town or for winding down after a day taking in the city’s illustrious museums.
Celebrate at Washington’s Premier Meeting, Event and Wedding Space
W Washington D.C. features more than 12,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space, including The Great Room (W’s take on a grand ballroom) and Altitude Ballroom, which overlooks the Washington cityscape. Wong’s design of The Great Room, with a capacity to hold 700 guests, is a modern interpretation of the historic hotel’s 1920s Beaux Arts glamour, featuring a dramatic staircase at the entrance, striking chandeliers (new and 1920s originals remodeled) and glimmering columns throughout. Altitude Ballroom, located adjacent to POV rooftop lounge, has a capacity for 220 guests and has quickly become Washington’s most in-demand wedding destination.
Lavish Your Every Whim Whatever/Whenever
Other amenities at W Washington D.C. include SWEAT, state-of-the-art fitness center; WIRED business center; 24-hour in-room dining; and dry cleaning, laundry and valet services. Event spaces and WOW suites are connected to the National Press Club’s satellite feed, allowing the hotel’s entertainment and news industry guests to uplink remotes and interviews without the hassle of bringing satellite trucks downtown. W Washington D.C. also offers the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service promise, providing guests with whatever they want – from a private guided tour of the White House to private jet service from Reagan National – whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal!
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